CAMAS — The school’s library filled suddenly and completely, not once but twice, as Camas High School students gathered to hear Carolyn Long speak during their lunch hour Tuesday.
Long, who’s running as a Democrat against incumbent Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground, for the 3rd Congressional District, was invited by DECA Girls Represent to kick off its lunchtime speaker series.
Long was invited to consider how middle and high school girls can explore traditionally male-dominated fields. Herrera Beutler was also invited to attend the talk but declined due to a scheduling conflict. As organizers and seniors Monica Chang and Rachel Blair noted, the event was nonpartisan and held with the intent to have an open discussion about how young women can get involved politically.
Unexpectedly, about 270 students showed up to hear Long talk.
Once the shuffle, crunch and crackle of lunch consumption died down, students began asking pointed questions that resembled a Reddit Ask Me Anything.
Some students could be heard sharing their disappointment that Long didn’t reveal more personal information, but questions tackled everything from gender-related obstacles, civil discourse, the impact of few women in politics and how these students who are not old enough to vote could get involved and effect change.
To girls looking to get involved in politics, Long urged them to act sooner than she did as a 51-year-old first time candidate.
“People focus on the big races … but there are so many important local races. I would encourage you to get involved early on,” she said. Considering an appointed office is also a good starting place, Long added. “Know that you can be involved politically without being elected.”
Both lunch groups asked how gender has impacted Long’s career as a professor at Washington State University Vancouver and her bid for office.
“As a candidate, your gender doesn’t really impact how you’re perceived with most audiences,” Long said. “But I think we will see, as we have historically, that you will encounter instances of sexism just as Barack Obama encountered instances of racism when he was running for office. People may automatically dismiss you because you are a female rather than a male. It’s not nearly as overt as you may think it is.”
One student asked Long for her personal opinion of Herrera Beutler. This question gave her the most pause.
“I’ll just say this: I’m running a positive campaign where I focus on the issues, where I focus on positive messaging, I focus on what I can do,” she said. “I’ll leave it at that, I don’t want to get in trouble.”
On a more serious note, students — most of whom are not yet old enough to vote — were interested in how they can be more involved.
“It doesn’t have to be in person or for a political party. It could be an issue or cause you’re passionate about,” Long said. “The reason I want you to do it earlier rather than later is because once you do it, you feel rewarded, you actually made a difference. It’s a habit you’re going to continue all of your life.”
The last pro-tip she offered students is that doorbelling is better than working the phones.
“The phones people can be a little bit meaner, but if you’re at their door and you’re there they see that you’re working hard,” she said.
